Internship or Free Labor? My 'Dream' Job Experience

Ever had an internship that felt more like a full-time job—minus the pay, benefits, or even a thank you? Welcome to my world. I landed what I thought was a golden opportunity at a fancy marketing firm in Chicago, only to realize I was basically their go-to for everything from client calls to coffee runs. They expected me to pull off the same workload as their salaried staff, but my paycheck could barely cover my train fare. The kicker? When I brought up my concerns, they told me it was all about "gaining experience." Experience in being overworked, maybe! So, am I alone here, or has anyone else survived an internship from hell? Let’s swap stories—maybe we’ll laugh, maybe we’ll cry, but at least we’ll know we’re not alone. 😅☕️ #InternshipStruggles #WorkplaceRealities #CareerGrowth #JobCareer